Title: Kawhi Leonard’s Return: Analyzing the Clippers’ Starting Lineup Options
The long-awaited return of Kawhi Leonard is just around the corner, with the star forward set to make his comeback on January 4th against the Atlanta Hawks. As a Clippers fan for two decades, I’m excited to see how his presence will impact our team’s dynamics and performance.
With Kawhi’s return imminent, it’s time to discuss the potential starting lineup configurations. My ideal starting five would consist of James Harden, Norman Powell, Kawhi Leonard, Derrick Jones Jr., and Ivica Zubac. This lineup provides a balanced mix of offensive firepower and defensive prowess.
Norman Powell has been exceptional this season, averaging 23 points per game. His performance has been too impressive to consider moving him to the bench. The combination of Harden, Powell, and Leonard creates a formidable offensive trio that will be challenging for opponents to contain.
Derrick Jones Jr. has been a pleasant surprise, shooting 39% from three-point range and providing solid defense. His size and versatility make him an ideal fit alongside our star players. Zubac continues to anchor our defense and has shown improvement in his playmaking abilities.
One concern with this lineup is Kawhi potentially guarding the second-best player on opposing teams. However, I believe the overall defensive capabilities of this unit, coupled with our team’s current fourth-ranked defensive rating, will mitigate any potential issues.
Alternative lineup options include starting Chris Dunn over Derrick Jones Jr. for additional defensive intensity, or moving Norman Powell to the bench to preserve Kawhi’s energy. However, I believe the proposed starting five offers the best balance of offense, defense, and size.
The Clippers’ bench unit will likely feature Chris Dunn, Nico Batum, Amir Coffey, and potentially Terance Mann. The key will be staggering the minutes of our top four players (Zubac, Powell, Leonard, and Harden) to ensure we always have offensive firepower on the court.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Clippers’ lineup options and Kawhi Leonard’s return, tune into the Locked On Clippers podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Clippers Podcast:
• Analysis of the Clippers’ upcoming game against the New Orleans Pelicans
• Discussion on potential trade deadline moves for the Clippers
• Brief look at the Lakers’ recent acquisition of Dorian Finney-Smith
